The Wider World.

For some reason when I'm designing a layout I always get bogged down in the surroundings area and rationale.

I've knocked up this 'map' showing the immediate area around the yard.

Maybe I just think too much.

In the beginning...

Spatch is a small yard, somewhere in the Western Region of BR in banger blue days. The yard is off a branch line, and just behind the embankment is Spatch Station, which is probably not long of this world.

The branch line was originally built in the early 20th century. One of the main customers of the line was the large stables at Chutney, the terminus of the line. Horses were transported to Newbury, Cheltenham and many other great racecourses.

The yard really only survives thanks to the regional S&T department needing somewhere to store kit. The yard is also used as a headshunt and run-around for MoD trains to Long Humpton Camp, the wagons being propelled into the exchange sidings for collection by the camp's shunter.

Other traffic to the yard is mixed and fairly infrequent. During the winter months coal is delivered for Futtocks Winter Fuels but even this looks set to end as fewer people have coal fires.

Engineers trains make up the bulk of traffic, with occasional ballast and spoil loading taking place in the yard, as well as S&T equipment being stored in the former goods store.

You'll have to excuse the MS Paint drawn plan, I can't really get my head around these design programs.

I've also got a Fotopic site showing various projects for the layout, mainly stock at the moment. Have a look at the links for this, and other sites I find useful.